tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55952545820124680662024-02-06T22:56:49.413-06:00Sarah the AuthorGoddessI am an AuthorGoddess, specializing in sci-fi/fantasy, erotica, and short horrors. An AuthorGoddess is one who embraces the divine honor of creating worlds with words in the hope of inspiring others.KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-28421696113051924892018-10-26T08:00:00.000-05:002018-10-26T08:00:01.742-05:00NaNo Prep: Do you even NaNo, bro?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4Ekdw9mvo4dTT5JGih5FqprLMxbdNAE2zK7PZSaEMKn6hHjWMEXPJrwr9UxcL6GzlFXjPR57MJpHHpmCjAXpCjCR0B6zbGPNn3Sl-_nJFTQ3ph5a_1J3txHySEUkKdflclafSTGl4RCZ/s1600/nano-challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="236" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4Ekdw9mvo4dTT5JGih5FqprLMxbdNAE2zK7PZSaEMKn6hHjWMEXPJrwr9UxcL6GzlFXjPR57MJpHHpmCjAXpCjCR0B6zbGPNn3Sl-_nJFTQ3ph5a_1J3txHySEUkKdflclafSTGl4RCZ/s200/nano-challenge.jpg" width="186" /></a>It is that time of year again!<br />
<br />
No, not Halloween, though that's cool. Not pre-Turkey Day or pre-pre-whatever wintry holiday is on your calendar. I'm talking about NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month.<br />
<br />
'Tis the season for writing hundreds and thousands of words each day. It is a serious challenge - there's a reason we only do this once a year - but it does have a purpose. Getting ready for the challenge is only the first step, but it is an important step.<br />
<h4>
Why Should You NaNo?</h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBy9v1b5-rRXmdZURob4SQIf1UVR9UtS_YQcrZyEHvSaswvxnNDcSaB83ORccOkEQEXn-ILgcsMGN0zFZmSs71DhrBpTlabRPc1OD3rowTSRu1K1gMxaG9UYQbn_IW78DyDy0nuVhPSLO/s1600/Inktober+vs+NaNo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="565" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBy9v1b5-rRXmdZURob4SQIf1UVR9UtS_YQcrZyEHvSaswvxnNDcSaB83ORccOkEQEXn-ILgcsMGN0zFZmSs71DhrBpTlabRPc1OD3rowTSRu1K1gMxaG9UYQbn_IW78DyDy0nuVhPSLO/s320/Inktober+vs+NaNo.jpg" width="320" /></a>Having a writing challenge is a great way to push through a writing slump. Or to get that first novel finished. Or get the latest novel finished. Or to get another work done for your backlist. Whatever the WIP, the result is the same - you have a built-in challenge and support system for getting it done.<br />
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And the support system is great. Even if you aren't writing a novel. You can find a group in the forums who write poems, comics/graphic novels, screenplays. You can find people who are writing children's books, novellas, collections of short stories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLFnYOWpIblhXzY8l4P2toPAJsg5Q_161OXbuXbyQArJrob96Sa5AphqXj-xOyKy2-c9f5Ptb6VRwSVcZT9heZ6wqsEhZTGuXaBksEqzir1IKHaySwhGAed8s78B95Qr223SFKapAFX9f/s1600/NaNo+Prep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLFnYOWpIblhXzY8l4P2toPAJsg5Q_161OXbuXbyQArJrob96Sa5AphqXj-xOyKy2-c9f5Ptb6VRwSVcZT9heZ6wqsEhZTGuXaBksEqzir1IKHaySwhGAed8s78B95Qr223SFKapAFX9f/s320/NaNo+Prep.jpg" width="320" /></a>If you are a student, there's a group for that. If you are a parent, there's a group for that. If you are an older author, there's a group for that. If you are a young author, there's a group for that.<br />
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Prefer tea over coffee for your liquid stimulant? Group. Want to write a western fantasy? Group. Live in Antarctica? Group.<br />
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Any issue you might have with time, with life, with plot or characterization, you can find others who are going through something similar. So get your writing on and join me!<br />
<h4>
NaNo Prep</h4>
Whether you are a pantser or a planner (like me), you might need to do some NaNo Prep. It could be getting the title and general idea nailed down in your head. It could be a full outline.<br />
<br />
Here are some other ideas:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Research for that historical or other setting you have in mind.</li>
<li>Plan a murder... you know, that one in your story.</li>
<li>Get some snackies to stash for quick energy when you are in the zone and don't want to stop for lunch/supper/midnight pizza run.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nJalCvks1p0sjJWgOmK6s1UQJ8B8_ZS6obBGBMyiUGvFnEePM43YVDRRDe8H2f-0xbh5fRGB7H_NjkpZUIRUUCGM1pA4OSRBWF3GYX11Ss4MTlS99L7vOZeuM2ld-93v2WDpBMfR-MFe/s1600/Writers+Celebrate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nJalCvks1p0sjJWgOmK6s1UQJ8B8_ZS6obBGBMyiUGvFnEePM43YVDRRDe8H2f-0xbh5fRGB7H_NjkpZUIRUUCGM1pA4OSRBWF3GYX11Ss4MTlS99L7vOZeuM2ld-93v2WDpBMfR-MFe/s320/Writers+Celebrate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>Make sure you are stocked up on your fav drink.</li>
<li>Create a vision board with pics of buildings, characters, and/or scenes.</li>
<li>Make a playlist for your writing.</li>
<li>Learn how to shut off your computer's internet. Also, the easiest way to mute your phone.</li>
<li>Plan meals - especially important if you have kids and a hubby who expect you to do stuff during NaNo. Planning meals will streamline grocery shopping, and you'll always know what meat to defrost for supper. #Winning</li>
<li>Make plans for family events, such as Thanksgiving, before the writing starts.</li>
<li>Have fun!</li>
</ol>
<h4>
Rock it!</h4>
<div>
Don't forget to enjoy the process! Join groups, get into word sprints, go to write ins, and get that 50k on the paper/screen. This is about achievement, not "doing it right" by someone else's standards.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just get it written.</div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-57428026029461874882018-09-26T14:17:00.001-05:002023-08-19T15:56:49.339-05:00Code-Switching in Writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Code-switching is a term often used in liberal circles to describe how (usually) minorities change the way they communicate in their own communities versus mainstream situations. In this case, I am using code-switching in its broader definition: <span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-small;">the practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation.</span><br />
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People use code-switching all the time in their lives - you don't use the same words, jargon, slang, etc. when you are talking to your friends, your family, or in a business situation. Sometimes, it's about fitting in with a group. Sometimes, it's a matter of how easy it is to communicate. Sometimes, it's even for emphasis. Capische?<br />
<br />
But what does this have to do with writing?<br />
<br />
Writers can code-switch, too, not just by using slang or other language words, but also by choosing how formal they are with grammar and colloquial phrasing, or even using a specific vernacular.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloyXix2p_0i2lwDUJ6YasWhV8DE1EDwKm21BzND8In6VmVigR8p9SoSJU4UeqF147w-7-Le8_OU24WkIskZITgSaGH6g8S486AhIMYmm-IxIbZEJBbhq6mwfSKgcw8-aZfOVQyOdPVta5/s1600/6a00d83477d44a69e201bb07a764d6970d-600wi.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="282" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloyXix2p_0i2lwDUJ6YasWhV8DE1EDwKm21BzND8In6VmVigR8p9SoSJU4UeqF147w-7-Le8_OU24WkIskZITgSaGH6g8S486AhIMYmm-IxIbZEJBbhq6mwfSKgcw8-aZfOVQyOdPVta5/s320/6a00d83477d44a69e201bb07a764d6970d-600wi.png" width="279" /></a></div>
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It's like, you gotta have a kinda voice when you talkin' to casual peeps or they get all up in your face 'bout how snotty you come across.<br />
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Alternatively, certain personages require a level of formality and adherence to formal grammatical practices that are often--but not always--agreed upon. Sadly, the assumption of the universality of these grammatical rules is not quite factual.<br />
<br />
Right-o. There's some things that are seen as being more common then they really are. People have some wack perspectives about what's right and wrong, or correct and incorrect. And, most of the time, it doesn't even matter, except for how you want to come across, which is completely dependent on your audience, not some style book.<br />
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However, don't be fooled into thinking that less formal means less structured. There are now classes people can take to go over the very real and firm rules around <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American_Vernacular_English" target="_blank">African American Vernacular English</a> (formerly known as Ebonics). Another fascinating dialect with similar characteristics to AAVE is Creole in the New Orleans area.<br />
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It is important to note that code-switching often involves using English that will make style-strict editors twitch. A good editor will acknowledge the code-switching involved in writing particular genres and with character POVs. If you are writing urban fiction, you probably don't want to use a formal (read: white, European, upper-class, historical) format. If you are writing high fantasy with royalty and ancient secret societies of wizards, etc, you will want a more formal writing style.<br />
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However, you also want to skew your non-dialog prose towards the formality level your target audience is familiar with. I recommend keeping the non-dialog formality level within one or two steps of the dialog of the main character(s) for consistency.<br />
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<br />
Blah, blah, blah. What could my point possibly be?<br />
<br />
Well, because English has <strike>outright stolen</strike> borrowed so much from other languages (<a href="https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/139-norse-words/" target="_blank">like Old Norse</a>), it has rules that only apply maybe most of the time, backwards syntax, and a whole load of non-English words from literally random other languages. English is hard. Native speakers get it wrong all the time. Those with a degree in English but not linguistics get it wrong all the time. Even those who study the linguistics side of it get it wrong ALL THE TIME.<br />
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I used to joke that I used up all my language slots to be really good at English (cuz I'm not great at learning other languages despite trying... a lot). I still say it, but it isn't so much of a joke now. English is just hard.<br />
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Yet, people in the writing communities online throw hardcore shade if someone makes an error, even in a non-writerly, non-business situation. I seriously got into a discussion about whether a dangling participle was acceptable for an author in a FB post. SERIOUSLY?!?<br />
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You would think that people who know how hard the making of the words is, the people who grok the evil conspiracy of auto-correct, the people who literally spend money to correct their errors... THOSE PEOPLE would be a little more lenient about "teh" in a post someone makes about their kids driving them crazy after a day at the park.<br />
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Come on, authors! We can do better. We can be better. We can cut each other some slack and acknowledge that a dangling participle is linguistically appropriate in common vernacular. We can back up off the lack of an Oxford comma in a tweet. We can accept "gonna", "cuz", "kinda", and "prolly" as casual, easily-understood shortcuts in a world of smart phone keyboards and *instant* messages.<br />
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And sometimes, we just don't want to go back and fix the stupid little error on a social media post about kitteh wut can haz skritches. Cuz KITTEH!!KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-48426435999347543832018-09-12T08:00:00.000-05:002018-10-10T15:42:33.758-05:00Dark Heroes and Why We Like ThemEverybody loves an anti-hero these days. Whether it's the massively successful Deadpool or the growling, scowling Wolverine, heroes that kinda aren't are huge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6n6-jRnJSKgFVPg_WFIM9B5yIS5oH3qbgcVEbI9lbsnuSGZwMnM3CsLwqtp1zGhU6nL_IN-S9yrCBKw9tY8zWhfcNxR9gIAVIVeumYQtdWADScldqFGKiQtEMHGy2chcpvz8pf9PPEMR/s1600/Umbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="579" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6n6-jRnJSKgFVPg_WFIM9B5yIS5oH3qbgcVEbI9lbsnuSGZwMnM3CsLwqtp1zGhU6nL_IN-S9yrCBKw9tY8zWhfcNxR9gIAVIVeumYQtdWADScldqFGKiQtEMHGy2chcpvz8pf9PPEMR/s320/Umbridge.jpg" width="320" /></a>But why?<br />
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Perhaps it's the frustration with the rules and laws that so many people see in their lives.<br />
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People get busted due to technicalities while others walk free due to loopholes. Laws that are unfair or unjust may be passed, or fair laws may be reinterpreted in ways that no one anticipated. Whatever it is, there is an undeniable growth in people's anger and fear about the Law of the Land and how it is enforced. Even if you don't agree with that assessment.<br />
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We've all had something unfair or unjust happen to us. We each have had that one person who used the rules to hurt us or someone we cared about. We've all had our Umbridge to deal with. We all know what it's like to want to get revenge on someone who was only technically right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnfRih7jY5XmVpqZJODY2w4IQUGYxoYDTZ43gKOqNhVzzq8wNdDkYwBnKFaZIfxGteCURjJi-9Im8CFRM_Irlxt9QjiEzf2yQqjlRimi0SGwc-9bNaOu4bqtSevEg7hqCbZrJ728ZsqUy/s1600/Deadpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnfRih7jY5XmVpqZJODY2w4IQUGYxoYDTZ43gKOqNhVzzq8wNdDkYwBnKFaZIfxGteCURjJi-9Im8CFRM_Irlxt9QjiEzf2yQqjlRimi0SGwc-9bNaOu4bqtSevEg7hqCbZrJ728ZsqUy/s1600/Deadpool.jpg" /></a>Perhaps it's the freedom that the vigilante style promises. The Merc with the Mouth can say pretty much anything he wants to, and consequences are temporary at best. How awesome would that be? We spend a lot of time thinking about how what we say will affect us, usually through how it makes other people feel. Whether we agree with such consideration or not, it can be stressful.<br />
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Perhaps we want to be able to dispense justice where none is available. The Punisher was able to give "untouchable" criminals what they deserved. Of course, that was by his determination. If more people did that kind of thing, they'd likely start hunting each other down. Which might be amusing...<br />
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Perhaps we are just sick and tired of having to process so much, care so much, invest so much with so little return. Maybe we would rather not give a damn, like so many anti-heroes do in their own lives. Maybe we want something so sweet and pure that it makes us want to care again, like so many anti-heroes encounter.<br />
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The point is, we live in a world with a lot more gray than black and white, perhaps more than ever before, or perhaps that's just the perception we have. Who knows?<br />
<br />
Either way, we have a very dark and nihilistic view of the world, right now, as a society. Our heroes and protagonists are reflective of that, and we want our heroes and protagonists to reflect some secret, closely-held part of ourselves.KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-31289697781981874092018-08-23T19:43:00.000-05:002018-09-11T19:44:03.639-05:003 Fantasy Series (and 1 Non-Fantasy Series) That Inspired the RunespellsThere are a few series that directly inspired my writing of the Runespells series. Whether it was how the characters talked or the way the magic worked, the following series helped me develop what became Too Wyrd and the rest of the Runespells books.<br />
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<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O3HD47C" target="_blank">The Dresden Files</a> - This one is pretty obvious - I talk about it a lot. The truth is, the Dresden Files solidified a really vague concept in my mind by showing me what a good magic PI story looked like. While I didn't end up doing a magic PI story, that was the original idea, and I left a lot of the elements of that style in the series.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B00CKCWA9U/kindle/" target="_blank">Stephanie Plum series</a> - This may seem a bit out of place, but having a woman main character in a mystery/thriller series was a bit of a new thing when I was developing my concept (around 15 years ago). The first book of this series, especially, showed me a woman who didn't need to be the romantic interest to carry the story.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOweBSqooh3KieW9Putw38gYV8tjFoHnLhyt_ZxszVDiT5KFlykIN53NrNR-F4B66qpUmNUeZntCoVLtyl8vosZ3TrhJHZ9dFYXGpp8hFkaDEPtfX43z1SMBRdb-wAmG2Rx731qBqoCF7/s1600/51FwG5dNNHL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOweBSqooh3KieW9Putw38gYV8tjFoHnLhyt_ZxszVDiT5KFlykIN53NrNR-F4B66qpUmNUeZntCoVLtyl8vosZ3TrhJHZ9dFYXGpp8hFkaDEPtfX43z1SMBRdb-wAmG2Rx731qBqoCF7/s200/51FwG5dNNHL.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Harm-None-Rowan-Investigation-Investigations-ebook/dp/B0026MRQTI/" target="_blank">The Rowan Gant Investigations</a> - MR Sellars did a spectacular job bringing in Pagan beliefs and magical realism for his paranormal PI series. The story arcs with the individual books, as well as the series arc, were so well done, I couldn't help but learn a bunch about plotting by looking closely at this series.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Prince-Authors-Carpathian-Book-ebook/dp/B004FEF6EM/" target="_blank">The "Dark" Carpathian series by Christine Feehan</a> - Speaking of plotting, nothing has shown me the power of plotting series arcs like this series. It's a paranormal romance series with over 30 books, and the overall series plot is still rolling strong. Looking at how the hints in the beginning build into full plots in later books is a thing of authorial beauty. I've picked up a lot from reading this series, and I recommend it for a good series arc example.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Those are my selections for series that have inspired me. I will be posting more, focusing on individual books, and things that inspired other of my works.</div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-64796544303012527712018-08-09T17:26:00.000-05:002018-09-11T19:22:15.265-05:00"A Time & a Place" in Counterclockwise: A Time Travel Anthology Released<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Counterclockwise-Fiction-Atlas-Time-Travel-Anthology-ebook/dp/B07DNKL3JL/" target="_blank">Counterclockwise is now available</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllrJPFCSZlnAD3acmZ04S03ABw3OKaUUoSD6oJ5mRqnbEVOlwsEx-wyTWWvY4EzG5UqtHnnjE6msOlQWUN7QOrdGGAywXoh2UmYodoHsoA5jxw8rkb67oP3zhWKncb9f3cwByKxYVPnAN/s1600/Counterclockwise+Promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1323" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllrJPFCSZlnAD3acmZ04S03ABw3OKaUUoSD6oJ5mRqnbEVOlwsEx-wyTWWvY4EzG5UqtHnnjE6msOlQWUN7QOrdGGAywXoh2UmYodoHsoA5jxw8rkb67oP3zhWKncb9f3cwByKxYVPnAN/s320/Counterclockwise+Promo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My story, A Time & a Place, is a prequel short for the M.A.G.U.S. Chronicles. I will be releasing the first of the series, Threadreader, early 2019.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Tianna is a Timesinker, a fae-blood magecrafter with the ability to travel through time. Her journey begins when she is caught in the cross-fire of a battle between magecrafters, but it doesn't end until she learns how easy it is for a timesinker to cause both the beginning... and the end. The enemy crosses her timeline more than once, but can she be on the winning side every time?</blockquote>
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Grab this anthology to get a great assortment of stories, and to get your taste of the M.A.G.U.S. Chronicles!KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-1120063202799980742018-08-02T08:00:00.000-05:002018-08-02T08:00:11.711-05:00New Challenge and Website Forum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdNyH-uZ57S-utTVwFN32IRR7h5M5O1xTIqmhJqS9NDGsnyafdjOpwVYL7MWRyMmWOAKXlWDnxRQsy6yutH7ukdO2Lg_ieXNtUUmxinOEwFdC1m5x1kvkq-v9AgciBBi68IID-txYwXRY/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdNyH-uZ57S-utTVwFN32IRR7h5M5O1xTIqmhJqS9NDGsnyafdjOpwVYL7MWRyMmWOAKXlWDnxRQsy6yutH7ukdO2Lg_ieXNtUUmxinOEwFdC1m5x1kvkq-v9AgciBBi68IID-txYwXRY/s1600/download.jpg" /></a>I've begun a rather intense challenge. I've set up a schedule to make 13 publications in 24 months. That means writing around one novel or short story every 2 months for two years.<br />
<br />
The good news? You can join me! Maybe just for a few months, or for the whole 24 - your choice. Post your updates, chat about hiccoughs and life stuff, and get a bit of accountability in my new website forum, <a href="http://www.authorgoddess.com/forum" target="_blank">Writing Talk</a>!<br />
<br />
Sign up today!<span id="goog_1598038498"></span><span id="goog_1598038499"></span>KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-68498907234916004312018-06-21T08:00:00.000-05:002018-06-21T08:00:08.327-05:00Creative Writing Coaching - Do you need it?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg5XOgyATXxeJnKRnr6m-xtevqqixipvDl0ArXPciqHbkBhhtMTvnFw7llYjSHrTH8WSTiGax0FGQCbHe7sN-Lq-jjel5w0QP4A6fAqrW0ZX7Hc3XtxvUpcxNtRwNswv1ufuH8Abp2HKd/s1600/writer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg5XOgyATXxeJnKRnr6m-xtevqqixipvDl0ArXPciqHbkBhhtMTvnFw7llYjSHrTH8WSTiGax0FGQCbHe7sN-Lq-jjel5w0QP4A6fAqrW0ZX7Hc3XtxvUpcxNtRwNswv1ufuH8Abp2HKd/s1600/writer.jpg" /></a>Writing a novel is hard. Period. It is a lot of work with virtually no feedback during the process. While some people prefer the void when getting the words down, others need someone who has realistic understanding and expectations of where you are in the process. Sadly, as supportive as friends and family can be, they don't always know that a first draft isn't going to be a clean story.<br />
<br />
This is where you might want to consider a writing coach.<br />
<br />
<h3>
What is Creative Writing Coaching?</h3>
Well, it's when you pay someone to encourage and advise you on your creative writing project. A good coach will be a sounding board, throw out some ideas for you to use or to launch from, show you the value of each step of the sometimes painfully slow writing process, and get you to keep going!<br />
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<h3>
When do you need a writing coach?</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahGVE86YHayFvbUzk073aujST_113dnsCx4jHwH-Leg-3yXbn4XoXAS3LKigjVYFUXXnT5V5NaCGrted4JfoWZNDKBZ4ja5mXcJoMgYxXetAmtNTVa8MDT_jgR1A7LVn9DYvcwjfJ3Dqo/s1600/Weaknesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahGVE86YHayFvbUzk073aujST_113dnsCx4jHwH-Leg-3yXbn4XoXAS3LKigjVYFUXXnT5V5NaCGrted4JfoWZNDKBZ4ja5mXcJoMgYxXetAmtNTVa8MDT_jgR1A7LVn9DYvcwjfJ3Dqo/s200/Weaknesses.jpg" width="200" /></a>You can use a coach when you first start, to help you learn the ropes and make sure you don't get discouraged by the whole, daunting process. You can also use a coach on your 50th novel to keep you on track, because we all need that at times.<br />
<br />
While you usually want to get a writing coach in at the beginning of a project, in the idea stage, you can hire a writing coach at any time during the process. Be aware that a coach may require an additional fee or (paid) time to get caught up if you hire them halfway through.<br />
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<h3>
What should you look for in a writing coach?</h3>
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<li><b><u>Communication Style</u></b> While a coach who is familiar with your genre is helpful, the point of a coach is to advise you on the more general writing process. So, it is more important to find someone whose communication style resonates with you.<br /></li>
<li><b><u>Experience in Format/Length</u></b> You should look for someone who has experience writing the length of stories that you are working on. A short story plots and writes very differently than a novel. Many coaches have worked on writing various lengths of story, but you'll want to make sure the one you are looking at can do the format you need.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><b><u>Availability</u></b> Be upfront with deadlines, and make sure the coach you are looking at hiring can work with that schedule. Rush jobs may warrant a rush surcharge to make up for the coach having to rearrange other aspects of their schedule.<br /></li>
<li><b><u>Accessibility</u></b> This is how the writing coach plans on communicating with you. Most coaches use primarily text based communications, such as email, instant messaging (IM), etc. However, some coaches will also offer regular voice or video conferencing via phone, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. If you prefer to be able to speak to the coach, it may be a priority to find someone who can do that.<br /></li>
<li><b><u>Pricing</u></b> A lot of factors go into pricing. A coach who is in high demand will likely charge more, as will a coach with years of experience. A coach who offers more in accessibility may charge more simply to cover the costs of any software needed to maintain that accessibility. While writing coaches, like editors, are an investment in your writing, you still need to find someone within your ability to pay them.<br /></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PHqNbfCra5KRpxSLmy6n4cmRRss2b0jy2-ngUCWZhF9o-mBnyN6sE-RUBMfcUwzdxLuHMZLQ8Y69AQB1TIoIxaFAVBWw9mLcUcagk20dR-yhi2v4GQzgusmXRvvpm1Oloo1pEiCwIeFk/s1600/Priorities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="849" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PHqNbfCra5KRpxSLmy6n4cmRRss2b0jy2-ngUCWZhF9o-mBnyN6sE-RUBMfcUwzdxLuHMZLQ8Y69AQB1TIoIxaFAVBWw9mLcUcagk20dR-yhi2v4GQzgusmXRvvpm1Oloo1pEiCwIeFk/s200/Priorities.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h3>
How do you find and hire a writing coach?</h3>
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The best way to find a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/PsychicRiverWriting/services/" target="_blank">coach </a>is by word of mouth. Ask your favorite <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/PsychicRiverWriting/" target="_blank">editor </a>or writer(s) if they know any. You can also ask around your writing groups, IRL or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/PsychicRiverWriting/services/" target="_blank">online</a>.</div>
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Another way to find coaches is to <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=creative+writing+coach&oq=creative+writing+coach&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l2j0l2.4732j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">google it</a>. There are dozens of listings through writing journals, publishers, organizations, etc. The disadvantage here is that you don't know anything about them, and listings may be outdated.</div>
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Once you find someone, take the time to talk with them about their services. Pay attention to how quickly they get back to you, and how well they communicate with you. This is a good indication of how they will do the same while rendering services.</div>
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Lastly, don't forget to leave a review! As with authors, editors and writing coaches love having customers leave feedback, which they can use to promote their services. Even a few sentences is awesome! You can also ask if they offer any referral bonuses or discounts!</div>
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Good luck!</div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-29613208929832564172018-05-24T08:30:00.000-05:002018-07-16T17:33:24.707-05:00Goal Setting - A Go Indie Now Live Panel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was honored to be asked to join this panel discussion on GoIndieNow! It's a great channel with TONS of resources for authors and recommendations for readers!</div>
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<br />KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-76482983549678340012018-05-10T08:00:00.000-05:002018-05-31T16:36:43.016-05:00The Minutiae of Life is Not a Failing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahGVE86YHayFvbUzk073aujST_113dnsCx4jHwH-Leg-3yXbn4XoXAS3LKigjVYFUXXnT5V5NaCGrted4JfoWZNDKBZ4ja5mXcJoMgYxXetAmtNTVa8MDT_jgR1A7LVn9DYvcwjfJ3Dqo/s1600/Weaknesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahGVE86YHayFvbUzk073aujST_113dnsCx4jHwH-Leg-3yXbn4XoXAS3LKigjVYFUXXnT5V5NaCGrted4JfoWZNDKBZ4ja5mXcJoMgYxXetAmtNTVa8MDT_jgR1A7LVn9DYvcwjfJ3Dqo/s200/Weaknesses.jpg" width="200" /></a>There is so much going on with the average life, many people feel as though their free-time is virtually non-existent anyways. When you throw in self-employment, working at home, kids, or financial distress (and the lack of flexibility to "buy time", such as ordering out instead of cooking from scratch) into the mix, it becomes exponential.<br />
<br />
Generally, authors will have most or all of these factors working in their lives. It drags on your psyche, making it harder to focus on details (such as grammar) or to be creative. This means that an author's job just got more difficult.<br />
Don't get me wrong. Most careers have their own version of this. This isn't a whine about how tough it is for an author. It's a reassurance.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WVRABDF7SC1XUmqkT3H4_7UR7GyXspDHzUU76VIYgyKp7sLwSvhy0tc7ImbNsEqGuIMs75kpmvGz5m4t-nrFv__R2sRJ5cwwLHfnhBDPuBqRSe71UCqtAM3c8JSKszrGs_zuPxsSVt13/s1600/Good+enough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="286" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WVRABDF7SC1XUmqkT3H4_7UR7GyXspDHzUU76VIYgyKp7sLwSvhy0tc7ImbNsEqGuIMs75kpmvGz5m4t-nrFv__R2sRJ5cwwLHfnhBDPuBqRSe71UCqtAM3c8JSKszrGs_zuPxsSVt13/s200/Good+enough.jpg" width="200" /></a>Authors (and other creatives) often struggle with confidence in their abilities. The slow nature of sales can compound this. The lack of concrete responses to marketing doesn't help. All-in-all, there is a reason for stereotype of the alcoholic writer.<br />
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Trust me on one thing, though. None of that is a reflection on your value or skill as a writer or as a person.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg5XOgyATXxeJnKRnr6m-xtevqqixipvDl0ArXPciqHbkBhhtMTvnFw7llYjSHrTH8WSTiGax0FGQCbHe7sN-Lq-jjel5w0QP4A6fAqrW0ZX7Hc3XtxvUpcxNtRwNswv1ufuH8Abp2HKd/s1600/writer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="240" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzg5XOgyATXxeJnKRnr6m-xtevqqixipvDl0ArXPciqHbkBhhtMTvnFw7llYjSHrTH8WSTiGax0FGQCbHe7sN-Lq-jjel5w0QP4A6fAqrW0ZX7Hc3XtxvUpcxNtRwNswv1ufuH8Abp2HKd/s200/writer.jpg" width="200" /></a>We need to hear that more often. No matter how much we feel as though we are failing, it really isn't much of a metric. The history books are filled with artists and authors who were considered failures right up until their deaths.<br />
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So, if you are reading this, you aren't dead - you've still got a chance to make it. Keep writing!KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-10878435590245771772018-04-26T08:00:00.000-05:002018-05-31T16:18:00.552-05:00Reviews, Reviews, ReviewsI've been getting so many reviews recently, I'm barely able to keep up with them all! There is no way I could have posted each and every one, so I'm going to just give you some links instead.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Too Wyrd</li>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Too-Wyrd-Runespell-Book-1-ebook/product-reviews/B01LZSY6P5/" target="_blank">Amazon - 4.2/5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30339895-too-wyrd#other_reviews" target="_blank">Goodreads - 4.03/5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/reviews/too-wyrd-sarah-buhrman/1124547224?ean=9781612967523#reviews-header" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble - 4.7/5</a></li>
</ul>
<li>Fluffy Bunny</li>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fluffy-Bunny-Runespell-Book-2-ebook/product-reviews/B07811Y2TR/" target="_blank">Amazon - 5/5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35822153-fluffy-bunny#other_reviews" target="_blank">Goodreads - 4.88/5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/reviews/fluffy-bunny-sarah-buhrman/1127942645?ean=9781612969732#reviews-header" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble - 5/5</a></li>
</ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Slings-Arrows-Runespells-Short-Street-ebook/product-reviews/B07C41QPVL/" target="_blank">Slings & Arrows: A Runespells Short Story - 5/5</a></li>
<li>Short Horrors</li>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Short-Horrors-Occult-Sarah-Buhrman-ebook/product-reviews/B06XZ5SKR4/" target="_blank">Amazon - 4.6/5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34808954-short-horrors-for-occult-fans#other_reviews" target="_blank">Goodreads - 4/5</a></li>
</ul>
<li>Anthologies</li>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Fireflies-Summer-Romance-Anthology-ebook/product-reviews/B071FMRXY9/" target="_blank">Chasing Fireflies (w/ Scarborough Fair) - 4.2/5</a> & <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35270446-chasing-fireflies#other_reviews" target="_blank">GR: 4.09/5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/London-Calling-Quill-Ink-Anthology-ebook/product-reviews/B077WTBTP2/" target="_blank">London Calling (w/ Slings & Arrows) - 4.6/5</a> & <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35858069-london-calling#other_reviews" target="_blank">GR: 4.54/5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twist-Fate-Collection-Twisted-Fairy-ebook/product-reviews/B078QYZDNY/" target="_blank">A Twist of Fate (w/ Free Gift with Purchase) - 4.6/5</a> & <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36549628-a-twist-of-fate#other_reviews" target="_blank">GR: 4.67/5</a></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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All-in-all, not a bad collection of reviews! I hope you check them out, particularly if you've been eyeing one of my books. The assessment of another reader might just be what makes up your mind!</div>
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If you are an author or reviewer, you can see the different kinds of reviews that people leave. All are completely valid (yeah, even the occasional 1 or 2 stars). If you aren't sure you can do reviewing, this should help you see that anything at all is a good review - it's the second best way to love your author!</div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-53519324845933064412018-04-12T08:30:00.000-05:002018-05-16T12:38:21.436-05:00Honoring Reader's PreferencesI’ve talked a lot about writing elitism. This time, it’s about perspective.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs7i-3VhJKSZbxQfowjEmsEmM7fYX-7s7DrzImZqwgDYRHKOgxvvJgSlkDweOD-h06O5TBSAXW7eudDILQ8K8VaGL5zG1tbd6fDP-wWCw6Y3UaujnwcxLhyphenhyphenXoHebSg17xsPcqnVRpwbDa/s1600/Tenses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs7i-3VhJKSZbxQfowjEmsEmM7fYX-7s7DrzImZqwgDYRHKOgxvvJgSlkDweOD-h06O5TBSAXW7eudDILQ8K8VaGL5zG1tbd6fDP-wWCw6Y3UaujnwcxLhyphenhyphenXoHebSg17xsPcqnVRpwbDa/s1600/Tenses.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />I can’t go more than a few days without seeing something ranting and railing about how “some readers” won’t read present tense, or 2nd person perspective, or other less common tenses. Mostly I find that it is done by writers who are pushing to have their own writing style “accepted” by more people.<br /><br />I get it. Sometimes we write stuff that is a bit too far off the beaten path for the mainstream. I understand that frustration.<br /><br />I like big “but”s.<br /><br />BUT, when a writer does this, it doesn’t often come across as “oh, look, you should give this a chance.” It is more of a sneering, looking-down-one’s-nose rant about how the plebs just can’t understand how much they are missing. In case the point was missed, most of these call people some degree of stupid, narrow-minded, or uneducated. Because they prefer certain styles of writing.<br /><br />Take a moment to think about that, from the reader’s perspective.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pKZ3dho66dDhJzBXPcjLMBX2Ng9oa5OFzIjev6Qs4utsCGGXYqwnOa0km4F-SxZ_zJyCuGpTgkklUZTc8sjlKzMN1AP9QVyCYXyrktJ4Lv8rZf6fcTjNr6pyGweBZicoWw5u3N0kXvVX/s1600/Tense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="650" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pKZ3dho66dDhJzBXPcjLMBX2Ng9oa5OFzIjev6Qs4utsCGGXYqwnOa0km4F-SxZ_zJyCuGpTgkklUZTc8sjlKzMN1AP9QVyCYXyrktJ4Lv8rZf6fcTjNr6pyGweBZicoWw5u3N0kXvVX/s320/Tense.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Any time a writer pushes the idea that you are some kind of fool for liking a specific genre, for preferring present tense over past (or vice versa), for liking the Hero’s Journey storyline format… they are insulting you for having a preference.<br /><br />The funniest part is that most will backtrack and say things along the lines of “if you just give it a chance.” Funny, because people who read, tend to read a LOT. They have preferences because they’ve read a LOT. Most are willing to try new things, but few are willing to try something that they’ve tried (and disliked) before.<br /><br />As a reader, I have preferences. If something sounds particularly good but is outside those preferences, I’ll still give it a go. That doesn’t change the fact that it is up to the author to make me want to leave my preferences.<br /><br />One million new books every year are published. These books cross all genres, all styles. It is not up to me as a reader to throw out what I like and don’t like each and every time just to give a book a chance. It is up to me as an author to make people interested enough in my work to give it a chance.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7TtamLOYawKSvMxpTgrxRn273OyJG5ShLY4iTOiKS0X9FxGevdWWq-kUhpC3WNg-T9Jbp4D7F_4iNCPf-oD19bfBaG4QziwXY3wkt_koKocknUgkpqOgGMoT0hGoLmh2CzSq4PaYVxpz/s1600/Take+it+professionally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7TtamLOYawKSvMxpTgrxRn273OyJG5ShLY4iTOiKS0X9FxGevdWWq-kUhpC3WNg-T9Jbp4D7F_4iNCPf-oD19bfBaG4QziwXY3wkt_koKocknUgkpqOgGMoT0hGoLmh2CzSq4PaYVxpz/s320/Take+it+professionally.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />That’s how that works.<br /><br />It is also up to me as an author to accept that my style of writing, POV choice, 1st/2nd/3rd person perspective, etc, may not be what an individual reader enjoys. Accept it, and move on to the next reader, who likes the type of book I’ve written, or is at least interested in it enough to give it a chance.<br /><br />My writing is not important enough to trump your right to have preferences and opinions. And vice versa.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-22133558598453134702018-03-17T15:16:00.000-05:002018-03-17T15:16:00.395-05:00Book Covers and Cyber BulliesI awoke today to find that another person in the author community has been sent private messages telling them to kill themselves over book covers.<br />
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That's right, I know more than one person who has been the victim of this kind of bullying. And the reasons for it are incredibly ridiculous.<br />
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First, let me wax philo-something over book covers. I grew up in the 80s and 90s. Yeah, I'm old. But more importantly, I grew up in the hey-day of bodice-ripping romances. Maybe that's why I'm so unconcerned with whether someone's cover looks similar to another's. Back then, that's how books identified their genres.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS9g03U7KwtGxPxJV5eZRGlT32KlaaXzYAcgdBeZEnnQHH0VPDC4vnECWHec6A84BZebFHKhZHsT2kMbOopGUo09JQ-6-poiF6R7ckuyt9bVxBMI5PmkSR9pJ2Qx-L4xwSRSVzUWYFeeE/s1600/1527464625661977232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFS9g03U7KwtGxPxJV5eZRGlT32KlaaXzYAcgdBeZEnnQHH0VPDC4vnECWHec6A84BZebFHKhZHsT2kMbOopGUo09JQ-6-poiF6R7ckuyt9bVxBMI5PmkSR9pJ2Qx-L4xwSRSVzUWYFeeE/s320/1527464625661977232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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No joke. You could tell what kind of story you were getting based on what was on the book cover. Spaceship over a planet? Hard sci-fi, likely male MC. Barbarian with a sword and sexy chick kneeling nearby? High fantasy (maybe soft sci-fi), male MC, romantic subplot. Fabio looking guy hovering over woman half-undressed? ROMANCE! Background has a castle? Historical romance. Background is a ship? Historical romance with pirates! Fabio wears a kilt? Scottish historical romance. Fabio wears boots? Western romance...<br />
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Seriously, you could change the shirt and hair color and background just to change the covers of the romances. There were maybe three or four positions that the couple were in, but everything else was virtually identical.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5yKU95KcqUFx-boeOABPhnNXxa2QYCdck1MVIWnYL-G8UgkQdgkqRkrc_id1eE5ac9wXwOzDlNLYdFQKXiVtM1z1_MduzH00NeOzLZX-0afA1Q_-eDJqIIHAc9_vhkx32PvdYADNKVgm/s1600/google-romance-novel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1167" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5yKU95KcqUFx-boeOABPhnNXxa2QYCdck1MVIWnYL-G8UgkQdgkqRkrc_id1eE5ac9wXwOzDlNLYdFQKXiVtM1z1_MduzH00NeOzLZX-0afA1Q_-eDJqIIHAc9_vhkx32PvdYADNKVgm/s400/google-romance-novel.jpg" width="400" /></a>Now people sit there and talk about how a different image was used, the font was changed and THAT'S ALL... and I have no idea what the deal is. It's not the same cover. The hype over unique covers is so weird.<br />
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ONE MILLION new books are published each year. That means, since I started actively publishing my books, THREE MILLION books have been published. That's a lot of covers. And many of them are going to look similar. In my opinion, for genres, that's not necessarily a bad thing.<br />
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To be clear, I'd love to see more diversity in book covers - but I'm looking more for racial, size, gender (non-sexualized women, please, for the love of whatever deity you hold dear!), ability, etc, etc.<br />
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Book covers can only be so original before all the originality either gets used, or becomes nonsensical. Let's get over that particular issue really quickly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzQrZrCX5e_atsEEjVOJvk9-aHNMAAi8g8IlogrTXpxdQkb-iDkMSEc3-EhexD9d_c1zCw502lPmoS0f3CrHY2C5_h2cVF0Bc75gpMb-i5yPLD3aE0YrNSFfW8fjvycvHuzxD97y9gAgo/s1600/cyber-harassment-cyber-stalking-adult-cyber-bullying-ipredator-image1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzQrZrCX5e_atsEEjVOJvk9-aHNMAAi8g8IlogrTXpxdQkb-iDkMSEc3-EhexD9d_c1zCw502lPmoS0f3CrHY2C5_h2cVF0Bc75gpMb-i5yPLD3aE0YrNSFfW8fjvycvHuzxD97y9gAgo/s320/cyber-harassment-cyber-stalking-adult-cyber-bullying-ipredator-image1.png" width="320" /></a>NOTE: the quality of a good book cover seldom has to do with originality. Just because I'm not huge on making totally original covers doesn't mean I don't want GOOD covers. It's a different metric altogether.<br />
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Now, for the bullying aspect.<br />
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To those who would send such a message, I'm just going to say this really loud and clear:<br />
If you get so hyped up over a book cover mimicking other covers that you are willing to message the creator/author to tell them that their career is over and that they should KILL THEMSELVES over YOUR issue regarding their book cover, they aren't the one with the issues.<br />
<br />
Dude.<br />
<br />
A book cover.<br />
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To those who have had such messages sent to them, I'm going to say this:<br />
Screenshot those messages. Do NOT mark out the name of the sender. Share it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pe_d2T_NtSYcnE4f5o2WjByMgICfryRrGkoHwABXYfc6P87l7OBNsd7beT6nsz0d6OITp4rETw_fWl__Xhxe3wJHxu4H0AR3OJd5iLJzE89JV9iinFcro94OvRF1t6HZ0pWpy-MpsX15/s1600/150302143625-megan-meier-quote-exlarge-169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="780" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pe_d2T_NtSYcnE4f5o2WjByMgICfryRrGkoHwABXYfc6P87l7OBNsd7beT6nsz0d6OITp4rETw_fWl__Xhxe3wJHxu4H0AR3OJd5iLJzE89JV9iinFcro94OvRF1t6HZ0pWpy-MpsX15/s320/150302143625-megan-meier-quote-exlarge-169.jpg" width="320" /></a>Yeah, I get it. The person who sent such a message may have had a point or a reason, or whatever. Yeah, most people might not even care about the message they sent. But some of us in the authoring community are more than willing to restrict access to people who would go there.<br />
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In other words, if you want to take your possibly correct stance to the point of telling someone to kill themselves, you may find yourself with a MUCH smaller author/promo network. That is a line, and there WILL be consequences.<br />
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I don't care how much you feel righteous about your stance on someone else's work. Don't cross that line.KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-53686399970201139582018-03-01T08:00:00.001-06:002018-03-05T13:54:21.257-06:00It Ain't a Problem for MeHere it is, another day, another post on what is and is not “real” in the world of writing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Jb4HvKxYuctf3t8_TORBulY3g9F6yqQUN75ZidX9qvkFG3Il3b3ULDPyG00nX0lhVFKWL0nOXpC4MHfaatGj59nOjzhfj4DxkjlGUMOGPFlMiMSxAQrgKql_J-9jfKb62jGcPzIE_jOw/s1600/aint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="522" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Jb4HvKxYuctf3t8_TORBulY3g9F6yqQUN75ZidX9qvkFG3Il3b3ULDPyG00nX0lhVFKWL0nOXpC4MHfaatGj59nOjzhfj4DxkjlGUMOGPFlMiMSxAQrgKql_J-9jfKb62jGcPzIE_jOw/s320/aint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes it’s the oxford comma. I can take it or leave it, so long as the meaning is clear. Sometimes the meaning is clear because of the ridiculousness of the alternative in context. Silly me, I trust my readers and fellow humans of brain-having to be able to figure that stuff out.<br />
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Today, it is “ain’t”. “Is ‘ain’t’ a word?”, a metric ton of posts and memes call out to me. Well, let’s see. It is a series of syllables with a known and discernible meaning, which can and is used widely in a language.</div>
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Seems like a word to me.</div>
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All my snark aside, the question that is REALLY being asked is, “is ain’t ‘legit’?”. The larger question is, what, as writers, do we “allow” as REAL, TRUE, and LEGITIMATE in our language.<br />
And that’s so elitist.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8HxgdOkaI7dZ_XgcIxD4vlq1XPshTc2Pp8zYbSrtpzntdt7GeInxXE45TdOsTW2yFmg67FgpBMTT1Na_a7ggkbR31UgjEZ0B3EeOn8-QxLsjkQibP2ROZ33E2qN-jcdMxI0NyTqz7PgY/s1600/ain%2527t.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="525" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8HxgdOkaI7dZ_XgcIxD4vlq1XPshTc2Pp8zYbSrtpzntdt7GeInxXE45TdOsTW2yFmg67FgpBMTT1Na_a7ggkbR31UgjEZ0B3EeOn8-QxLsjkQibP2ROZ33E2qN-jcdMxI0NyTqz7PgY/s320/ain%2527t.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
Let me break this down.</div>
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Historically, “ain’t” is an actual word that was used as proper English for quite some time. Po’ peeps picked it up and BOOM! It’s “just” slang and illegitimate, now.</div>
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Regionally, “ain’t” tends towards conservative areas with high poverty and low education. Also, some trend towards areas with high non-white demographics.</div>
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Linguistically, the English language, like all living (not dead) languages shifts, grows and changes with use. People LIKE to come up with new ways of saying things, adding depth and nuance to their meanings. Because there is a subtle emotional difference between scary and terrifying. This means that there are colloquialisms and regional dialects. “Proper” English tends towards East coast and upper class.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9Ae1-tDQ4HqyZT7khl5z3uKDdFDWIn-9xy7pm-n_k-pc5Cy_fZF8YDy1JRePngZQ3pzf-3oR7kl-PxSc4Z_om_8_NQ_AKReB28rYnNQ16V6BLtaeWOUft_O2IL0kXj1biYTi-7SCVLyZ/s1600/Say+it+Ain%2527t+So%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9Ae1-tDQ4HqyZT7khl5z3uKDdFDWIn-9xy7pm-n_k-pc5Cy_fZF8YDy1JRePngZQ3pzf-3oR7kl-PxSc4Z_om_8_NQ_AKReB28rYnNQ16V6BLtaeWOUft_O2IL0kXj1biYTi-7SCVLyZ/s320/Say+it+Ain%2527t+So%2521.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Saying “ain’t” isn’t a word is classist. It’s racist. It discriminates by region, generation, and education.</div>
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Plus, writing only in “proper” English comes across as pretentious, pompous and pedantic. See what I just did there. You may have to look this crap up, now. :P</div>
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If you are a literary writer, well, everyone has their own thing. I don’t like reading OR writing literary fiction. Unless it’s science journals and other non-fiction. For my fiction, I love genre fiction. Easy reading, yes, but then there is more possibility to engage in emotional metaphors, satirical social commentary, etc. because people don’t really necessarily want to dedicate brain space to grand philosophies AND grandiose language at the same time. Not for entertainment reading.</div>
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Plus, it’s hard to convey universal experiences when you write like an East Coast Prep School Silver-spooning Yacht-sailing Trust-funded… person. Just my thoughts.<br />
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KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-37708685020703490682018-02-15T08:00:00.000-06:002018-03-05T13:58:03.629-06:00Different Strokes of the PenDifferent writers have different ways of writing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahGVE86YHayFvbUzk073aujST_113dnsCx4jHwH-Leg-3yXbn4XoXAS3LKigjVYFUXXnT5V5NaCGrted4JfoWZNDKBZ4ja5mXcJoMgYxXetAmtNTVa8MDT_jgR1A7LVn9DYvcwjfJ3Dqo/s1600/Weaknesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahGVE86YHayFvbUzk073aujST_113dnsCx4jHwH-Leg-3yXbn4XoXAS3LKigjVYFUXXnT5V5NaCGrted4JfoWZNDKBZ4ja5mXcJoMgYxXetAmtNTVa8MDT_jgR1A7LVn9DYvcwjfJ3Dqo/s320/Weaknesses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Some people throw a whole bunch of words out, then edit up to a dozen times, doing rewrites and changing the order of scenes. This type of writer usually writes faster in the beginning.<br />
<br />Some people write much slower, resulting in a cleaner first draft. They often have less rewriting, because they are more methodical in the initial writing.<br />
<br />In the end, each of these takes about the same amount of time to write and finalize their books, with generally the same level of quality, depending on the skill level of the writer and their editor(s).<br />
<br />I am very much the second type. NaNoWriMo is a very real challenge for me because I tend towards slow, methodical writing. I end up doing maybe five rounds of edits, max, but the initial writing is emotionally draining for me.<br />
<br />Now that NaNo is done, I’ve still got a bit more to write on The Chains That Bind, book 3 of the Runespells series. Then I will take a few days off to recover from the emotional trauma… lol.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbjW3ifexmslE9ZeXXM87QB57GBNHOcAubTvZXiMXD3yH3dPvBxXlHUQyKmBW_BhoDtl79EjJflFQ2pyqJITYgTeONLeuJww9GbefpQEncfwC75ItKJF45bAMiu08woD2Tz5vumzB7Dp-/s1600/patreon_thumb_by_nazegoreng-d8tdl96.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="523" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbjW3ifexmslE9ZeXXM87QB57GBNHOcAubTvZXiMXD3yH3dPvBxXlHUQyKmBW_BhoDtl79EjJflFQ2pyqJITYgTeONLeuJww9GbefpQEncfwC75ItKJF45bAMiu08woD2Tz5vumzB7Dp-/s320/patreon_thumb_by_nazegoreng-d8tdl96.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Once that is done, I’ll run through the first round of edits and send it out for Beta Reading. While I’m waiting for those to come back, I’ll be working on one or two other projects, one of which will be determined by my patrons on my Patreon page! (Check it out <a href="https://www.patreon.com/kalisara">HERE</a>)<br />
<br />In 2017, I put out 1 novel, 1 novella, a collection of short stories, and 4 short stories in anthologies. In 2018, I’m going to shoot for 2 novels, 1-2 novellas, and up to 3 short stories in anthologies. Wish me luck!KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-10666460057715350702018-01-18T08:00:00.001-06:002018-01-23T11:37:34.375-06:00Author's Hierarchy of Needs<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve been thinking about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs lately,
and how it applies to writing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8aDIBfxFmsEKAQOpa6gLrL9SNlwSN8xpLpQytiieiBTWJ1cr_wK_JPC9f7eAJfa2kP4j45piVmossLJmqH6Y-ablasZjID-rNkbvabMDmXHAQzEzjDRb54Wu4gFtb5y3-Bao0sWzZ5wi/s1600/maslow-hierachy-of-needs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="815" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8aDIBfxFmsEKAQOpa6gLrL9SNlwSN8xpLpQytiieiBTWJ1cr_wK_JPC9f7eAJfa2kP4j45piVmossLJmqH6Y-ablasZjID-rNkbvabMDmXHAQzEzjDRb54Wu4gFtb5y3-Bao0sWzZ5wi/s320/maslow-hierachy-of-needs.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
the interest of context, here’s the deal. I am a full-time author. My husband
just came out of a year of schooling to be an electrician. Due to some politics
and technicalities, and some bad luck and bad timing, he’s been having trouble
finding a job that is more than just temporary. He is currently working in
manufacturing, which isn’t a bad job, but not at the rate to support a family
on a single income.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve
tapped out our resources pretty thoroughly to get us through this, but we are
doing a lot of extras: plasma donations, free/reduced food options, and I’m
looking for a job that will work with my kids’ schedule. It would be either
prohibitively expensive or functionally impossible to find the type of
childcare we would need for most jobs I could get quickly, so it’s going
slowly.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That said, we are doing okay, but there’s a lot of time and
mental energy going into keeping us going until we break through this very
short rough patch. Which brings me back to Maslow’s Hierarchy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PHqNbfCra5KRpxSLmy6n4cmRRss2b0jy2-ngUCWZhF9o-mBnyN6sE-RUBMfcUwzdxLuHMZLQ8Y69AQB1TIoIxaFAVBWw9mLcUcagk20dR-yhi2v4GQzgusmXRvvpm1Oloo1pEiCwIeFk/s1600/Priorities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="849" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PHqNbfCra5KRpxSLmy6n4cmRRss2b0jy2-ngUCWZhF9o-mBnyN6sE-RUBMfcUwzdxLuHMZLQ8Y69AQB1TIoIxaFAVBWw9mLcUcagk20dR-yhi2v4GQzgusmXRvvpm1Oloo1pEiCwIeFk/s320/Priorities.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Essentially,
this theory states that humans can only really focus on one level if the lower
levels are being met. It’s not completely exclusive, but it makes sense. The
first level is immediate safety. You probably aren’t going to ponder your
spiritual development while being chased by a lion. (Why is it always a lion in
these scenarios? Why not a rhino or a wolf?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second level is food and shelter. If you are safe for
the moment, you can plan on these things. Then you can focus on larger safety
issues, such as environment and neighborhood. After that is interpersonal
relationships, such as family and friendships.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next is self-esteem, or the ability to believe you are
worthy. Self-actualization follows, covering your place in society. Ie, career,
status, etc. And finally, self-transcendence, which is the personal spiritual
experience.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpGWeHPxyNo1V2I33UpaOFJuxn4Uoa9NTkzrnykpkdTveyVz10h8OauXVE2Q8HpDP3YvNuVI5vt5rR17PcfUu26wz1Ig6D7HWIg7vNmBhvnEmwnE7Pdudh2yQRNpInJT35ub9qWLxrSjU/s1600/28ee7777c052594815bb75ec81067e01--quotes-about-priorities-uplifting-quotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="736" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpGWeHPxyNo1V2I33UpaOFJuxn4Uoa9NTkzrnykpkdTveyVz10h8OauXVE2Q8HpDP3YvNuVI5vt5rR17PcfUu26wz1Ig6D7HWIg7vNmBhvnEmwnE7Pdudh2yQRNpInJT35ub9qWLxrSjU/s320/28ee7777c052594815bb75ec81067e01--quotes-about-priorities-uplifting-quotes.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since
only a threshold has to be met at each level, you can have some deficiencies in
a lower level while still focusing on a higher level. But if those lower levels
are threatened in some way, the focus gets drawn to them again and again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways,
this is probably why I’m having so much trouble prioritizing NaNoWriMo this
year. It’s not that writing isn’t as important to me, it’s that I kinda have to
make sure we can pay rent before I can focus on my career.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
leads me to thinking about authors, pirates and self-care.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pirating
books is pretty bad. Authors don’t make much as it is, and anything that is
taken from them makes it less likely for them to be able to meet their own
basic needs. If they can’t do that, they can’t focus on the making the words
stuff. Knowledge is free, and most authors are willing to do giveaways, etc.
But it’s something that the author CHOOSES to do, based on their own
risk-benefit assessment, financial ability, etc. Stealing from them is just
that: stealing.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmSthT8qK-3RP1rD90Gp8Y6QAFP-vPUmCWMZI8_WHvva-G6iNDctufKUxUKoeSDesvIma6Fvauh8ytN7jPvsLjGP5uYfj9BMmLevci-HAKOXo3CDIzadksQwuV4yHTKDXXudoCKa7SLyp/s1600/pirating_kills2-large.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="931" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmSthT8qK-3RP1rD90Gp8Y6QAFP-vPUmCWMZI8_WHvva-G6iNDctufKUxUKoeSDesvIma6Fvauh8ytN7jPvsLjGP5uYfj9BMmLevci-HAKOXo3CDIzadksQwuV4yHTKDXXudoCKa7SLyp/s320/pirating_kills2-large.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Authors
also need to spend a certain amount of time and mental energy on self-care.
People like to think that writing is easy, and in many ways they are right. But
writing novels that are well-crafted, interesting and meaningful? Well, that
takes skill, mental energy, and technique that has to be developed over time.
By the time an author puts out their first decent book, they’ve already put in
years of practice, reading and studying writing skills.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
think authors should put more emphasis on knowing their own worth, and the
worth of their works. But, at the same time, readers need to put more worth on
the books that they love so much.</span></span></div>
</div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-88396937546898292872018-01-04T08:00:00.002-06:002018-01-04T08:00:05.496-06:00Happy New Year!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s that time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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New year, new writer. It’s time to assess what’s happened
and make goals for the coming year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztsPUJEAc6qsrIc2nDlgyzzfHEs9Pal4aYFwFF9YTJUVEI7YC9Igb6pkm8785hASLbLj8-FgI-Nrj1r0E-QrA4gNYphRJqh2Sm6KUwal1LjrB-Y41iP6KPZyRWC_8uu19fppeTcfMaFQF/s1600/Goodbye-2017-Images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="900" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztsPUJEAc6qsrIc2nDlgyzzfHEs9Pal4aYFwFF9YTJUVEI7YC9Igb6pkm8785hASLbLj8-FgI-Nrj1r0E-QrA4gNYphRJqh2Sm6KUwal1LjrB-Y41iP6KPZyRWC_8uu19fppeTcfMaFQF/s320/Goodbye-2017-Images.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My assessment is pretty constant. I have issues when I don’t
keep tabs on my psycho-emotional barometer. So this is easy for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2017 sucked in so many ways. On the personal life front, it
was a roller coaster of hope and disappointment with a distinct trend towards
the decline. It’s been so bad that, even though it’s true, I’m hesitant to say
it looks like things are going to be improving. I’m talking days of crying from
depression and fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I blame my husband, but that’s a different set of thoughts.
(And, no, he’s not abusive or anything. It’s just a crap situation mostly due
to timing and luck.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWwI3WlLzYHKfQDAvfj7ct7VQYjhV7uz3JTzNTjrX_HWlNIhAlwcGsRGpFOraWfzoMOSFIaT5CEv2Rm3A1JiMOJktuJUtXeEJxYGI4SxXWxRrWVHAl3pTNZvo3lEeyD7HsW_InpMEOnS0/s1600/0516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="700" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWwI3WlLzYHKfQDAvfj7ct7VQYjhV7uz3JTzNTjrX_HWlNIhAlwcGsRGpFOraWfzoMOSFIaT5CEv2Rm3A1JiMOJktuJUtXeEJxYGI4SxXWxRrWVHAl3pTNZvo3lEeyD7HsW_InpMEOnS0/s320/0516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the professional writing front, I marketed my first book
and put out my second. Sales seem to be climbing steadily, if very slowly, and
I see this as a sign that my books will continue to grow slowly but steadily. I
can live with that. At least the arrow is going the right way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Biggest frustration: just when I promised I wouldn’t be
missing any more vlogs, my built-in camera takes a nose-dive. But I got a
spiffy new camera for the holidays, so I’ll be back in a jiff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for my goals, I’m looking forward to completing at least
3 books in 2018. I’ll still be working on sales and vlog and patreon, etc. So,
I guess I haven’t been beaten down!</div>
</div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-14644477779149818402018-01-01T11:28:00.001-06:002018-01-23T11:40:16.418-06:00Goodreads Changes Their Giveaways<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
you are a published author who markets heavily online, you’ve probably at least
heard about the changes to Goodreads’ Giveaway service.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx2TuPdlzR6QRKuDB4qX0NcE1PvFuGEuvGJQKN8ktoT3-JEegN9rQCLTWy0nvXg6NDpIr04w2U_hq1hDeIvYgXn_HCA7K6LPm0UDYLCXgs9KnNsVAKATx1XEWJdVez4cU3BCk1xY0kFuH/s1600/81HxJ55dOkL.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1024" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx2TuPdlzR6QRKuDB4qX0NcE1PvFuGEuvGJQKN8ktoT3-JEegN9rQCLTWy0nvXg6NDpIr04w2U_hq1hDeIvYgXn_HCA7K6LPm0UDYLCXgs9KnNsVAKATx1XEWJdVez4cU3BCk1xY0kFuH/s320/81HxJ55dOkL.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven’t, here’s the breakdown: Goodreads just took
away the free platform for hosting giveaways of a book. It was a decent
platform, but only worked for print books, not ebooks, so it still cost the
author to get the print book and ship it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Now, they allow ebooks, starting at the low low
cost of only $200, give or take a five-spot. If you want all the bells and
whistles, which weren’t that impressive to me, you can do it for $600.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBGPDF6W0I6Czh_GNgJHu7HOCPJdisLskVh98P3xPVFq8qDK6HK1A5jtrhDHZVUTtQEqoqLx5Rrl0HrUmT8P_3WlaTtyJO5lb-m_iCQ3d9hDYHU9tKEwjmyfAl7GWCKVCXRUEPbx2JPxn/s1600/giveaway-time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBGPDF6W0I6Czh_GNgJHu7HOCPJdisLskVh98P3xPVFq8qDK6HK1A5jtrhDHZVUTtQEqoqLx5Rrl0HrUmT8P_3WlaTtyJO5lb-m_iCQ3d9hDYHU9tKEwjmyfAl7GWCKVCXRUEPbx2JPxn/s320/giveaway-time.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish those were typos, but no. We are talking about paying
to giveaway books at rates only previously seen on BookBub, and the BB has
specific and dedicated mailing lists PLUS you can list a book that is not free.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously, Goodreads? I’m not sure what idiot thought this
would be a good idea, but I can’t think of many authors who are going to drop a
couple Benjamins on giving away a book on a site that doesn’t really do
specific listings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">I don’t know about you, but my days of doing
Goodreads Giveaways are OVER.</span></span></span></span></div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-87198905697924274682017-11-25T19:01:00.003-06:002017-11-25T19:01:51.456-06:00Review of Fluffy Bunny... Again!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunrf8AbmyxJNiK-rfvYMz_Ph_dTsZ_W_AUzwz0cT-wdg4IAskaME4_dsifFI7ZdM73fJFVYAS61JARAuCEOAfDPwf8pvyDs5uxN5QV8leX__42ATzCH4jHBHaB0NfhczuO7-BQkyMJDz1/s1600/Fluffy+Bunny+Front+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunrf8AbmyxJNiK-rfvYMz_Ph_dTsZ_W_AUzwz0cT-wdg4IAskaME4_dsifFI7ZdM73fJFVYAS61JARAuCEOAfDPwf8pvyDs5uxN5QV8leX__42ATzCH4jHBHaB0NfhczuO7-BQkyMJDz1/s320/Fluffy+Bunny+Front+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The reviews for Fluffy Bunny are coming in! I'm so glad so many of you like it!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't forget to grab Fluffy Bunny while it's still on pre-order. Use code: PREORDER2017 to get an extra 10% off!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2191113940" target="_blank">Amazing book. Loved it. Well written. Great author. I do reccomed it. I arc tis book and I'm happy i did. It's amazing picked up right where book one left off. Amazing series.</a> - Goodreads reviewer</span><br />
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<br />KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-14385553662513212472017-08-14T08:00:00.000-05:002018-01-16T11:52:23.863-06:00Resume Weaknesses in Characters<div dir="ltr">
As an author on social media, I encounter a lot of posts by other authors. Many of them I pass on by but some of them are quite interesting. Then there are those that are odd.</div>
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I recently came across a post that was asking about weaknesses and main characters. This is an interesting topic because it delves into characterization.</div>
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I noticed that one of the responses was what I can only describe as a resume weakness. It was the kind of weakness that you give in response to an interview question asking what your greatest weakness in the workplace is.</div>
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I have to call this a cheater cheater Pumpkin Eater. If the greatest weakness that your character has is that they "try too hard to save people" or they "work too hard" to support their family, that's not a weakness. That's a virtue.</div>
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A real character weakness is one that makes the character somehow flawed, not a better person. If your character's weakness is actually a virtue, that does not make them more real, and it doesn't make them more relatable.</div>
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Resume weaknesses do not improve characterization. They do not improve your character as a relatable person. They do not make your writing better.</div>
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They do turn your character into a Mary Sue. They turn your character into an idealized version of whoever you are trying to characterize. And they make your character into someone who isn't as relatable.</div>
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No matter how hard we try to turn our weaknesses into subtle virtues, weaknesses are weaknesses. Flaws are flaws. And characters are people that should have both weaknesses and flaws, as well as virtues and nobility. Otherwise they're just a cardboard cutout of a character.</div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-82965673959783077442017-08-01T08:00:00.000-05:002017-08-01T08:00:18.715-05:00Two Reviews of Too Wyrd - This is a good one!<div style="background-color: white; font-family: opendyslexic; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 16.038px; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<b><a href="http://www.alteredinstinct.com/2017/07/book-review-before-you-leap-by-les.html?m=1" target="_blank">From : AlteredInstinct.com</a></b></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: opendyslexic; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 16.038px; margin-bottom: 0.11in;">
<b>Too Wyrd, by Sarah Buhrman</b></div>
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Some books just get you. They just catch you right - and Sarah Buhrman's first book in her Runestones saga does that with me. </div>
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It's the story of single mother Nicola - who discovers her sister is mixed up with a cult and sets out with her best friend Joseph to try to rescue her. The kicker? Nicola's also a heathen witch. And it turns out this cult actually could bring about the apocalypse. </div>
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Plunging headlong into a world of urban fantasy, with Norse gods and the possible coming of Ragnarok, this is a great ride of a tale. It kinda slows up a little bit in the first third, but then rushes onward towards... maybe... the end of the world? </div>
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Nicola is a great character, brittle with the authorities investigating the supernatural shenanigans but passionate in her friendships, and a reluctant heroine, drawing on her own strength even with the cost that using magic imposes upon her. </div>
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If you're a fan of urban fantasy, this is squarely in the genre - with a great female lead character, and a swirl of magic and mythology. Honestly, I enjoyed this more than Jim Butcher's Dresden series - definitely a world worth discovering. </div>
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AI Rating: 5/5</div>
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<i>- Leo McBride</i></div>
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<i>You can also find a video review <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SableAradia/videos/1412167432205509/" target="_blank">by Diane Morrisson HERE</a>!</i></div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-20283288452338462812017-07-27T08:00:00.000-05:002017-07-27T23:29:23.395-05:00Loss and LifeLoss is an inextricable part of life. When a loved one passes on, it can be emotionally difficult... and not just because of mourning losses. There is also pressure to be emotionally supportive to others. And to make major plans and decisions about how to care for your deceased and their assets and belongings.<br />
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My last grandparent died about a month ago. It marks a huge milestone in my life, but not necessarily for the reasons you might think. Sure, there's the idea that an entire generation of my ancestors has moved on, bringing me closer to being the eldest of elders. However, the biggest milestone is that the funeral and accompanying events are the last time I will intentionally interact with my extended family, save a single cousin on one side of the family.<br />
<br />
This may seem like a harsh tactic, but it is actually about removing toxicity from my life. While I have never had to deal with it directly, a variety of abuses has gradually colored my interactions with the larger family to the point where I feel it is inappropriate to spend my time with these people just because fate gave us a random connection.<br />
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For my own health and for the health of my children, for my own family's safety and sanity, I say to my cousins, aunts and uncles... "Bye Felicia!"<br />
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Don't get me wrong, most of them are harmless. Maybe a bit too hung up on "normal" (which I am not), or on... Okay, I don't even know. They are all just way too mainstream and snotty about stuff, and my tolerance for such things is very low.<br />
<br />
They gossip. They emphasize money. They are willing to look down on people for things that can't be helped. They are hypocrites about their morals.<br />
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There's just a lot of baggage there, and I don't feel that any benefit to dealing with that would be worth it. So, there ya go.<br />
<br />
This means that my loss is about more than my grandparent. I am losing an entire branch of my family tree... or two. It may be my choice, but it is still valid to mourn the losses of what might have been.<br />
<br />
So, this loss feeds the beast of creativity, and I will accept what comes of it. And I solemnly swear I am not writing my entire family into my next murder scene. Not the entire family... lolKaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-29431054124481148822017-07-21T04:00:00.000-05:002017-07-21T04:25:53.434-05:00Bathos and the Dramatic Scene<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhn418ACY0QU2WYfC6D5tdwfxnhQpCg34rjE5X5ZSE_OyjlmaT12lMPR3FgJbbGjtHunr_C08l-Sd0Mgg3r5RFTmXh0X0IPf3170E34Z2q-ZkeXSJKmFmlTUGrGSdPJPkyRQPiovnMmp9/s1600/bathos.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhn418ACY0QU2WYfC6D5tdwfxnhQpCg34rjE5X5ZSE_OyjlmaT12lMPR3FgJbbGjtHunr_C08l-Sd0Mgg3r5RFTmXh0X0IPf3170E34Z2q-ZkeXSJKmFmlTUGrGSdPJPkyRQPiovnMmp9/s320/bathos.png" width="286" /></a>Recently I came across an article that was talking about a topic near and dear to me. It referred to something called bathos. This is a technique in which humor or sarcasm is used to undercut drama within a scene.</div>
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There are a lot of reasons that this is a topic that I enjoy. Primarily, it's because that is what I write. I love a little bit of sarcasm some snark a bit of humor right in the middle of the action.</div>
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The article stated that the use of bathos was undermining the true emotion of a scene. I have to disagree with that statement.</div>
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The example the article used was in the movie Doctor Strange. Apparently, the use of humor in the scene in which Doctor Strange accepts the cloak while looking in the mirror, undercuts the drama of his acceptance in his role.</div>
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I recently watched Doctor Strange for the first time. My husband was with me. When this scene occurred, we both laughed. It wasn't because the drama of the scene was undercut. It wasn't because there was somehow something less dramatic about accepting one's responsibilities. It was because both of us immediately thought: that's exactly what a magic cloak would do.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://68.media.tumblr.com/b55ef139d4ad3ec8a4450c681fd6f1cd/tumblr_og2o23fSN71qhzro9o1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="462" height="157" src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/b55ef139d4ad3ec8a4450c681fd6f1cd/tumblr_og2o23fSN71qhzro9o1_500.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magical items are usually a bit annoying and child-like...<br />
Just sayin'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And that's the thing about bathos. It shows a certain reality. When you do something dramatic, usually it goes badly, or at least wrong.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You try to make a dramatic point and then trip over your own feet. You make a dramatic entrance and promptly fall off the stage. You make a dramatic speech and somebody starts snickering. That's how life works.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/95/1a/fb/951afb609c4445ad25bf9fe3f987c6a2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="360" height="217" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/95/1a/fb/951afb609c4445ad25bf9fe3f987c6a2.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a boat there... must not have practiced with that...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even though I never knew what the name of it was, I've used bathos in all of my writing. That's how life works. We try to do something seriously and it ends up being hilarious. We try to do something dramatic and it ends up being anti-climatic.</div>
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Perhaps the problem isn't that drama and emotion are being undercut by bathos. Maybe bathos shows us the reality of how life undercuts drama and emotion.</div>
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And in case you need examples of how this works in real life, just Google fail videos on YouTube.</div>
KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-36829895413642594012017-07-11T08:00:00.000-05:002017-07-11T08:00:20.409-05:00Letting Go: Getting Help as an Author<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u1e61f2o33tkFLToflKv2lVLhxO3ja_aj7iL5AOJDGdvSMuYmLaUFe9xPcc5lYMsJzDMks3tjiJ6s1hTTTd9d18hl9pvsPBI71AhEbSMmWHo_T4IwJhuBNqZ76Qj2cKOjd06lQ-QWM97/s1600/hosting-a-grown-up-party-while-kids-are-present.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="425" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u1e61f2o33tkFLToflKv2lVLhxO3ja_aj7iL5AOJDGdvSMuYmLaUFe9xPcc5lYMsJzDMks3tjiJ6s1hTTTd9d18hl9pvsPBI71AhEbSMmWHo_T4IwJhuBNqZ76Qj2cKOjd06lQ-QWM97/s200/hosting-a-grown-up-party-while-kids-are-present.jpg" width="200" /></a>Being an author is a lot of work. Never mind the word counts. The marketing can take well over 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week. And there's no set goal, unless you set it yourself. The more marketing, the more potential sales.<br />
<br />
As a mom of two, working at home over the summer, this can be a problem on multiple levels. I am constantly having my attention drawn away from my work to my kids and their ever increasing appetites for both food and entertainment. But I am running out of steam, quickly. It doesn't help that we threw a move, a funeral and hosting a party on top of all of this.<br />
<br />
So what's a workaholic to do? Outsourcing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiON2WlHXhsNjuapj0ZWU0GDN9hZJnJMrOV82lFGv1VDjrkx1cZilbbOGbGuiup8E4nisHcjlx_izJ50gwwQCJG2DsfkiDGXoAogzIq6YGDb14KlO4b_ZClT0ip3rVIrtPca4Ze9WF-si/s1600/Voice-unlock-coming-with-Microsofts-always-on-virtual-assistant-Cortana1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="230" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiON2WlHXhsNjuapj0ZWU0GDN9hZJnJMrOV82lFGv1VDjrkx1cZilbbOGbGuiup8E4nisHcjlx_izJ50gwwQCJG2DsfkiDGXoAogzIq6YGDb14KlO4b_ZClT0ip3rVIrtPca4Ze9WF-si/s200/Voice-unlock-coming-with-Microsofts-always-on-virtual-assistant-Cortana1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I hired a VPA (virtual personal assistant) to help me with posting and such. She's salary, so I can just give her projects as I need them done. Good to go. She is also available to cover for me when I over-book my takeovers and such. A decent PA will run between $75-200/mo, which isn't too bad for the way she's boosted my reach, gotten me contacts, and covered my butt.<br />
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My next step is a nanny. Holy mackerel, I never thought I'd be considering a nanny! I'm not rich AT ALL, so this is really weird, but...<br />
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We don't need daycare. We just need someone to help out for a few hours a couple days a week. Someone who can take the kids to the library, or the swimming pool, or just to run through the sprinklers outside. I'm thinking $100 for 6-9 hrs each week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnILo0xcoSdBpEB5zplFZdAWU2PMgaATPhj5iEYrg7zN67yI4sh0FAuDpwZ4Ut2doawRj6ej6jmIqEN8z3y24AF9Yc_xT9IUlk1S1BADF1cn56QgMLDh21NRXbTh4R6yBtcbbUWqv56UpJ/s1600/e94716040c682914d62bd83fda5f2fff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnILo0xcoSdBpEB5zplFZdAWU2PMgaATPhj5iEYrg7zN67yI4sh0FAuDpwZ4Ut2doawRj6ej6jmIqEN8z3y24AF9Yc_xT9IUlk1S1BADF1cn56QgMLDh21NRXbTh4R6yBtcbbUWqv56UpJ/s200/e94716040c682914d62bd83fda5f2fff.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtm2PQmJVXnnvXfqB1rnEz62tIexjqDBdhnRzqodpwjLZJtUnDctNJkxA2coULlXEZxPNURyKXObXKC6ut8qT77ITwF0JDaDq8qoNDb7L46idcT2WDuyowx9eUDj3dx3ny6liPYFgXPZI/s1600/610fa39fd03a8083fa63a89633b290a6--fun-costumes-halloween-costumes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="736" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtm2PQmJVXnnvXfqB1rnEz62tIexjqDBdhnRzqodpwjLZJtUnDctNJkxA2coULlXEZxPNURyKXObXKC6ut8qT77ITwF0JDaDq8qoNDb7L46idcT2WDuyowx9eUDj3dx3ny6liPYFgXPZI/s200/610fa39fd03a8083fa63a89633b290a6--fun-costumes-halloween-costumes.jpg" width="133" /></a>Given that there's only a few weeks left before school starts, that's not a terribly huge expense, and I'd pay 2 or 3 times that to get them into a daycare or to a day camp. It's just unrealistic to go that route when a temporary, part-time solution is available.<br />
<br />
So where's the problem? With outsourcing, the problem is always about letting go and trusting. You not only have to trust someone else to do the job for you. You also have to trust yourself - to be able to handle or deal with anything that isn't just how you would have done it, whether it's that the other person failed or not. It's a painfully psychological thing - we like things the way we like them.<br />
<br />
But I like my time more, so I'm trusting.KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-28069754112146526072017-07-04T08:00:00.000-05:002017-07-04T08:00:02.372-05:00Ch-ch-ch-changes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6REWpRI6jNtJMTpKdTT49UsqIJ5tFUfDTL9QbpDnDZtfLqx07Ls3EoMSUzGqHw6cioIpKGMxHbX7d95LKBycAqqvwQcOrdq2Z8S-BWlX_kssSCcGS25aijvfOdVQY7t3kuuwGHUIRUK7o/s1600/this-is-major-tom-to-ground-control-2-31873-1452532308-7_dblbig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="625" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6REWpRI6jNtJMTpKdTT49UsqIJ5tFUfDTL9QbpDnDZtfLqx07Ls3EoMSUzGqHw6cioIpKGMxHbX7d95LKBycAqqvwQcOrdq2Z8S-BWlX_kssSCcGS25aijvfOdVQY7t3kuuwGHUIRUK7o/s200/this-is-major-tom-to-ground-control-2-31873-1452532308-7_dblbig.jpg" width="200" /></a>*Bonus points if you did David Bowie's voice when you read the title*<br />
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I have moved! I am in a new place with some new things and some not-new things. The city is new (ish - I've lived here before, a decade ago) and I love it! The kids love it; the hubby loves it.<br />
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Okay, so lots of love and stuff. But moving is hard.<br />
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Obviously, it's physically hard. We already agreed that the next time we move, we are hiring some guys to lift stuff for us. There's a company in town called "College Hunks Moving". They have my vote.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HPInHT6whyphenhyphen37cC57jyVuhQ3CW8yDNOc7pIemIiyd-cE4H8d4_2ZY4exbVcRYHvszOAkDgJYeO_U-K16McdByK4W-yWiIMMXxo0omVLVPDOYZVaOLutTHQypI_3nsK9C3ngVoa9zMTq-4/s1600/3_istock_32418726_large-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1600" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HPInHT6whyphenhyphen37cC57jyVuhQ3CW8yDNOc7pIemIiyd-cE4H8d4_2ZY4exbVcRYHvszOAkDgJYeO_U-K16McdByK4W-yWiIMMXxo0omVLVPDOYZVaOLutTHQypI_3nsK9C3ngVoa9zMTq-4/s200/3_istock_32418726_large-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
We moved nearly 200 miles, while simultaneously sending kids to day camp, cleaning and selling a house, and working (me from home, hubby from that place he goes to every day). We had two yards to mow, two electric bills to pay, and a metric ton of stuff to transfer, either physically or electronically. Just changing addresses is two full days of work!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt7EhMDhxIgNEPSZ6DkY53_NURe-uibWS6EM92BbJWFZf8up1eR_wEttIAI6rNLF28Vu7qOTX8m3LMp4ORuIA7HSKCxVNuJ0X7f7HxWw1I2FlnKBN-wBoAHOJ2PX8sVAgm3aie4L5ivdj/s1600/Snoopy-moving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt7EhMDhxIgNEPSZ6DkY53_NURe-uibWS6EM92BbJWFZf8up1eR_wEttIAI6rNLF28Vu7qOTX8m3LMp4ORuIA7HSKCxVNuJ0X7f7HxWw1I2FlnKBN-wBoAHOJ2PX8sVAgm3aie4L5ivdj/s200/Snoopy-moving.jpg" width="200" /></a>Speaking of which, moving is mentally hard. There are so many things to take care of. It's an epic level of adulting that I'm just not sure I want to tackle again without the help of a personal assistant/secretary. I would like to point out, though, that I managed to time mail changes and shipping of deliveries to such a fine point that we missed not a thing!<br />
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Well, we did, but that was because our move-in date was delayed a full day due to them updating the floors before we moved in. They made a good choice, but it was a stressful 24 hours, which may or may not have involved me driving a fully loaded moving truck at top speed down a city street, with a car towed behind, while talking to the UPS guy on the phone.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGHgQQh8CLlt2UcFhz0XeXcCwIxJR5VWv9EHRvxXLaJANeUUHlfAGp_6WQrqaoCIHDwwy2ThkcHoS4nYsdGPF5vZuBbSAGHUx8uQpxEihogWrphaC6eiJVlOdjae8MQeNhfTBD1VhiBrT/s1600/Moving-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1000" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGHgQQh8CLlt2UcFhz0XeXcCwIxJR5VWv9EHRvxXLaJANeUUHlfAGp_6WQrqaoCIHDwwy2ThkcHoS4nYsdGPF5vZuBbSAGHUx8uQpxEihogWrphaC6eiJVlOdjae8MQeNhfTBD1VhiBrT/s200/Moving-2.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Speaking of THAT - turns out I'm a pretty bad-ass truck driver. Just sayin'. I backed that baby over lawns and around bushes, drove through narrow streets, even took the truck (with car still in tow) around a round-about and through narrow residential streets lined with expensive cars (here-after referred to as residential HELL).<br />
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Moving is also emotionally hard. Never mind the surprising ways that memories come flooding back as you pack up a place that has been home for seven and a half years, a place where your children grew up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhDU2ayfYjKrqKczG13nxp6eOl1OX89WwASU9lkcAW06z1z8EQFDowgwgHtuv1D4T3yAEQv18flgabGUqun1ASraVg5GHF3VpDzBtOLZyxeHp5n2UKJBMsmW84K5l_AR8y_eKGv9JM6s4/s1600/Moving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhDU2ayfYjKrqKczG13nxp6eOl1OX89WwASU9lkcAW06z1z8EQFDowgwgHtuv1D4T3yAEQv18flgabGUqun1ASraVg5GHF3VpDzBtOLZyxeHp5n2UKJBMsmW84K5l_AR8y_eKGv9JM6s4/s200/Moving.jpg" width="200" /></a>There's an emotional tie to such a place that springs up in surprising ways. Like the realization that you won't see another peach harvest from the trees that you planted. Or the way the snakes rustle in the grass, bringing up thoughts of how they keep the mice away. Or the emptiness of rooms as they are cleared out.<br />
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Then there's the second stage. After all the packing, lifting, moving, stress, worry, unloading, etc., you still have the maze of boxes that require unpacking. Food stuffs in one box, office supplies in another, two dozen boxes of books (cuz we are all bibliophiles here).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGErSTi_3id0x_9ANi9EU51surLQB8VNxdbQFTMkYM3SfVQrCT6WiwDDkBtJdgexO2g_BfDiUYAfREoridfgOQOhT-Wu9oGbC9PmKS9jECjTseqikUGgnzxuqL45ATUa8GPbIeOzWR__53/s1600/WIN_20170615_14_28_02_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGErSTi_3id0x_9ANi9EU51surLQB8VNxdbQFTMkYM3SfVQrCT6WiwDDkBtJdgexO2g_BfDiUYAfREoridfgOQOhT-Wu9oGbC9PmKS9jECjTseqikUGgnzxuqL45ATUa8GPbIeOzWR__53/s200/WIN_20170615_14_28_02_Pro.jpg" width="200" /></a>So, a minimum of one box per person gets opened and ostensibly put away every day. We have some furniture to buy, either to replace stuff that didn't make the cut or survive the move (damn you, particle board!), or things we need to make up for the differences in space that we now have vs what we had before.<br />
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So, yeah, changes, and moving is hard. But we got everything taken care of, and we are getting it slowly unpacked and put away. Now, I need to go shopping for a new night table!<br />
<br />KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5595254582012468066.post-15739140790779192622017-06-05T08:00:00.000-05:002017-06-05T08:00:03.726-05:00Trauma and Writing: the Dark Side of Being an AuthorI have three blogs. On one of them, I posted about <a href="http://kalima-darkside.blogspot.com/2017/05/hidden-trauma-dealing-with-crap-you.html" target="_blank">Hidden Trauma</a> and opened up about a deeply emotional situation that had recently come up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhA8Kv4jagcT0jgrCH5_o11NzS4Hx08DKmPXNaxVJLyRYTlMIP1dMLJTMjL-GNqiqCltg__Pea_3-dnDC0TpQtUGczXgu_whoTUKnEPD5ej7viXJJDZEBvyUu4eI8tti5-Ka2GskWRpntN/s1600/Blood+Tears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhA8Kv4jagcT0jgrCH5_o11NzS4Hx08DKmPXNaxVJLyRYTlMIP1dMLJTMjL-GNqiqCltg__Pea_3-dnDC0TpQtUGczXgu_whoTUKnEPD5ej7viXJJDZEBvyUu4eI8tti5-Ka2GskWRpntN/s320/Blood+Tears.jpg" width="320" /></a>Oh, you say. That's all well and good, but what's that to do with writing? (You may have a British accent in my head... 😜)<br />
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One of the things I try to do with my writing is to describe pain and emotions in a very real and visceral way. I don't just say "her face turned red with anger". I say "rage crawled up her neck and over her ears, narrowing her vision and tightening the muscles in her neck and scalp".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuFda7dmobzCgkuMMCDtkNXlAbG2Tnp0rDY2BLrR2n0yAAp_1fQ9f_8GSfTvCLPBhQCs4TphVojbRefA1Bdeop0-f_8WPAXlT8u-G1aa2AV_thKYLCKes8O5i5nSPE5yQzSbb9bDrpv54/s1600/Identity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuFda7dmobzCgkuMMCDtkNXlAbG2Tnp0rDY2BLrR2n0yAAp_1fQ9f_8GSfTvCLPBhQCs4TphVojbRefA1Bdeop0-f_8WPAXlT8u-G1aa2AV_thKYLCKes8O5i5nSPE5yQzSbb9bDrpv54/s320/Identity.jpg" width="320" /></a>Same emotion, but if you've ever been really pissed, you recognize the physical "symptoms" I've described in the second quote. I want people to be able to see what I write in terms of emotions and not just say "yeah, I've been mad". I want "OMG, that's just how it feels!"<br />
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But the thing is, in order to do that, I have to not just feel things, I have to NOTICE what I'm feeling. I have to remember what muscles clench when I'm afraid, what temperature my hands are when I'm scared. I have to remember the full physical sensations of getting the breath knocked out of me. I have to pull back the sharp feeling of a cut.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQitf6TBt-BDzxsyvKwUnWIfrjEvjhXEV3G1rRxsrEjJsCLnhd-fJT6WQlynnd-kTmSjMg2ZjNfZz0Q2xTA-LnhqUJH6D67AHyT2F9eSYyz3eRw_bORSsE9ySdLnseG92YWvqkhW2mU3a/s1600/share.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQitf6TBt-BDzxsyvKwUnWIfrjEvjhXEV3G1rRxsrEjJsCLnhd-fJT6WQlynnd-kTmSjMg2ZjNfZz0Q2xTA-LnhqUJH6D67AHyT2F9eSYyz3eRw_bORSsE9ySdLnseG92YWvqkhW2mU3a/s320/share.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Because of this, and other reasons, and despite my natural tendencies to hide or suppress my emotions from others, I force myself to be open about what I experience. I push myself to share, in part so others will share similar experiences. I make myself write down the sensations instead of pushing the discomfort away.<br />
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I analyze my own traumas... for you, my readers. (Cue guilt-trip music and fade to black... lol)<br />
<br />KaliSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09701507175119228961noreply@blogger.com2